Fairest by Gail Carson Levine Page B

bowl of porridge, waiting to finish feeding the king.
    I started for the window. I wasn’t looking down, and I almost fell over a pallet on the floor.
    Sir Enole said, “Your Majesty, I had a softer mattress brought in and a warmer blanket. If you stay again tonight, I hope you’ll be more comfortable.”
    â€œMy lord,” Ivi said to the king’s slack face, “I am here with Lady Aza.” She took the chair the servant had vacated. “This morning I helped Lady Aza choose her new wardrobe. The tailor has excellent goods.” She described fabrics and patterns, omitting not a single detail.
    The servant put down the porridge, curtsied, and left. Sir Enole began to roll bandages. I stood at the window. My mind wandered to beauty spells.
    â€œAt the council session …”
    I came alert.
    â€œâ€¦ all they talked of were droughts and trade delegations and ogres. It was too dull to endure. They said the same things over and over.”
    She rested her forehead on the king’s chest. “So I dissolved the council.”
    Sir Enole’s hands stopped their work. I choked back a gasp.
    â€œI don’t see why I need a council. Ijori can tell me what I must decide.”
    Dissolved the king’s council!
    Ayorthaians were proud of their council, the oldest in our region. There were only five members, including the king or queen, but one member always had to be a commoner. We’d fought a civil war to put a commoner on the council. Council matters were discussed all across the kingdom.
    â€œMy lord, you will thank me when you are well.” She recited, “‘Powerful monarchs need no parliaments.’ I wonder you—”
    This was tyranny! I burst out, “Your Majesty, everyone will be furious. The king’s council—”
    â€œOh, Aza, leave statecraft to your queen. Leave it to me. You are not to worry.” She gestured for me to approach her. I did, and she whispered in my ear, “My advisor assures me that it will come right.”
    Obviously offended at her rudeness, Sir Enole retreated to his study.
    She added, reciting again, “‘Powerful queens rule happy kingdoms.’”
    I returned to the window, half wanting to assassinate her for the good of Ayortha.
    She told her husband the dishes she hoped would be served at dinner.
    Later, on my way to my chamber after Ivi had bade me leave her for the night, I saw Ijori and Oochoo in the Great Hall. He was tossing a wooden ball, and she was dashing among the pillars in hot pursuit. When I happened along, she rushed to me, tail wagging, ball in her mouth. She let me have it, and I skimmed it across the tiles.
    He approached. “I hoped you’d come. The moon is out. You haven’t seen Ontio Castle by moonlight.”
    I followed him outside, amazed he’d waited for me, amazed he wanted to show me anything. He seemed unaffected by my ugliness, but it gnawed at me. At least at night I was less visible.
    We passed under the leaves of the Three Tree and across the courtyard. I breathed in the scent of obirko blossoms.
    He started down a steep stone stairway. “Hold on to my shoulders. I don’t want you to fall.”
    Joy. I grasped his shoulders. He felt sturdy under my hands. I heard Oochoo, scrabbling down the slope on our right.
    The steps ended in a pebbled path, almost as steep as the stairs.
    â€œCareful. This is treacherous at night.”
    I didn’t see why. Every pebble stood out under the bright full moon. The path leveled, and the moat opened up before us. The water was low. I saw a fox’s footprints on the banks.
    Ijori stopped and turned. “Look up.”
    I did, and there was the castle. If the earth tilted a degree, it would come crashing down.
    He sang, “What do you think?”
    The glossy leaves of the castle’s ivy caught the moonlight. I sang, “It glows.” I wanted to add something memorable, something to rival